New ibuprofen patch- delivers drug without risks posed by oral dose

Ibuprofen is known anti inflammatory drug commonly used by people mostly to reduce pain, swelling and fever also. It’s a more of consumer drug that is easily available at any pharmacy, and often overused by people for any type of pain and fever in India. However, many of them are not aware of its side effects.

The good news is that a new ibuprofen patch has been developed by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK, led by research chemist Prof. David Haddletonat, that can deliver the drug at a consistent dose rate without the side effects linked to the oral form.

The new patch is transparent and adheres well to skin, even when the drug load reaches levels as high as 30% of the patch weight.

Need of Ibuprofen Patch

The harsh side effect of longer use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, includes Heart attack or stroke with or without any warning, that can lead to death in cases. Ibuprofen is also a known cause of ulcers, bleeding or holes in the stomach or intestine .

Considering the associated risk, finding an alternative way to relieve pain without the risks is mandatory. There are other commercial patches available on the market designed to soothe pain, this is the first patch that delivers ibuprofen through the skin.

Patch drug load 5-10 times that of current patches

Working with a Warwick spinout company called Medherant, the researchers were able to put significant amounts of ibuprofen into a polymer matrix that adheres the patch to the patient's skin, enabling the drug to be delivered at a steady rate over a 12-hour period.

The researchers say their patch paves the way for other novel long-acting pain relief products that can be used to treat common conditions - such as back pain, neuralgia and arthritis - without taking potentially damaging oral doses of the drug.

Prof. Haddleton explains that, for the first time, they can "produce patches that contain effective doses of active ingredients such as ibuprofen for which no patches currently exist."

He adds that they are able to "improve the drug loading and stickiness of patches containing other active ingredients to improve patient comfort and outcome."

The team notes that the drug load made possible by their new technology is 5-10 times that of current medical patches and gels. Furthermore, because the patch adheres well to skin, it stays put even when the drug load reaches levels as high as 30% of the weight or volume of the patch.